Page 51 of Impressing Brett

Blade nods. “I understand, but you have no reason to. You couldn’t have known someone was watching you, and even if you had known, I suspect they would’ve evaded detection.”

“It’s my job to protect her,” I murmur.

“She knows that.”

I flinch. “She might not speak to me again.”

“She will. Give her time.”

“I don’t know if my heart can take it. What if she wants to leave? I don’t think I can let her. It’s not safe.”

“I’ll have Rachelle get you a hotel room for tonight.” Blade pulls out his phone and sends a text.

I turn to glance at the car again. At least she hasn’t hit me with it. I have no idea if she’ll agree to go to a hotel with me.

“If she won’t go with you, I’ll put two men on her. She’ll be safe.”

The thought of Lacy sleeping alone somewhere makes my chest tighten. The thought of anyone besides me protecting her makes me want to punch the side of the house.

Blade speaks again. “I’ll have more men tracking the Rutherfords, starting first thing in the morning. I think we need a deeper dive into their lives. If they’re willing to hire an arsonist and a private detective to terrorize Lacy, they’ve probably committed a long list of crimes.”

“I want to see that fucking will,” I sputter.

“You and me both.” Blade stares off into the distance. “I like to stay aboveboard when possible, but I think it’s time to get a copy of that will through alternative methods.”

I run a hand over my head and nod. I have to agree. At least we’d know what we were dealing with if we could see the fucking will.

A car door opens behind me, and I spin around, deflated, when I see it’s Eve exiting the passenger side. But then, a moment later, Lacy opens her door, too.

I take a step in her direction and then stop. I need to give her space if it kills me. She doesn’t meet my gaze. She just stands there in the open doorway, rubbing her palms together. She’s so deflated.

I want to roar.

Eve comes toward us as Colt walks up the driveway from where he and Davis were standing several yards away. Colt wraps his arms around Eve and kisses the top of her head.

Eve tips her face back. “I think she needs a hotel.”

“Already arranged,” Blade responds.

Eve nods.

I take another step toward Lacy, and she finally lifts her face but not her gaze. Her eyes are red and puffy. Her cheeks are streaked with tears. She’s trembling. “I can’t process all of this tonight. I need you to give me time.”

“Okay.” My heart drops to my feet.

“I’d like you to go with me, though. Is that okay?”

Thank. God.

“Of course, baby.”

She winces. That’s not what I call her. But I’m afraid to risk alienating her with Little lamb.

“I’ll go pack us a few things, okay?”

She shakes her head. “I’ll do it.” She turns around and heads toward the kitchen door as though she’s walking through quicksand.

I follow her.

---